JFAC approves $666,500 for Commission on Aging to draw down ARPA funds, cover inflation and replace laptops

The Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee on Oct. 26 approved $666,500 in additions for the Commission on Aging for fiscal year 2026, including $500,000 from federal ARPA funds and $166,500 from the general fund.

The funding package, described to the committee by Kellen McGurkin, a budget analyst with Legislative Services, is intended to allow the commission to pay final invoices and draw down remaining ARPA grant funds before that funding expires on Sept. 30, 2025, cover inflationary costs for local area agencies on aging (AAAs), and replace IT equipment.

McGurkin said the $500,000 one-time federal appropriation is “to pay final invoices and draw down final remaining ARPA grant funds before access to that funding expires September thirtieth of 2025.” He told members that $450,000 of that amount is earmarked for direct payments to local AAAs to cover final invoices for older Idaho supportive services, meal programs, modernization at contracted senior centers, caregiver assistance, adult protective services and a pilot public health workforce expansion.

The committee also approved an ongoing $162,600 general-fund increase to address inflationary pressures. Of that amount, $155,000 was designated for a 3% increase in trustee and benefit payments to local AAAs to help cover rising costs for labor, insurance, fuel and program services; $7,600 was allocated as a 2% increase for various operating costs at the central Commission on Aging office. Separately, the commission asked for a $3,900 one-time general-fund appropriation to replace two laptops and two docking stations on a four-year replacement cycle.

A committee member noted the agency’s overall budget picture showed a net decrease relative to prior levels (a figure cited in the hearing as about a 5.6% decline), but the committee proceeded to a roll-call vote. The motion, moved by Senator Ward Engelking and seconded by Representative Petske, passed with a final tally of 19 ayes and 1 nay. The committee directed the item to proceed as a bill with a do-pass recommendation.

Why it matters: The funding allows the Commission on Aging to use one-time ARPA money for concluding projects and to modestly increase recurring trustee payments that underwrite local services for older Idahoans.

The committee record shows the analyst’s explanation of program scope and the vote; the approved amounts were the federal one-time $500,000 and $166,500 from the general fund, for a total of $666,500.

The Commission on Aging implements the federal Older Americans Act and Idaho’s Senior Services Act and coordinates a statewide network of community-based services, adult protective investigations and related programs.